Celtic are reportedly interested in signing Manchester City defender Jason Denayer.
Belgian newspaper Nieuwsblad claim Celtic are leading the way in the race to sign Manchester City defender Jason Denayer, ahead of Turkish giants Galatasaray and Italian outfit Torino.
Celtic are in desperate need of adding a central defender to their squad – even before the saga surrounding the future of Denayer’s fellow countryman Dedryck Boyata.
Boyata claimed on Instagram that he was not fit enough to face AEK Athens, while Brendan Rodgers confirmed after the loss on Tuesday night that the former Manchester City defender was indeed fine to play in Greece.
It is believed Boyata is looking to leave the club and is unwilling to play after refusing to enter negotiations over a new contract. Lazio and Sevilla are reportedly keen, after Fulham had a £9million offer rejected.
But even before that, Celtic needed a centre-back with Jozo Simunovic struggling this season while doubts remain over Jack Hendry. Marvin Compper is nowhere to be seen.
Now, Nieuwsblad claim Celtic are beating Gala and Torino to sign Denayer, after Gala had agreed a £2.7million loan move for Denayer – but a failure in assurances saw the deal collapse. Torino failed to meet City’s demands.
That appears to have put Celtic in pole position for Denayer, who spent the 2014-15 season on loan at Celtic and scored six goals in 44 appearances as the Hoops won the Scottish Premiership and the League Cup.
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